Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15

Thread: Hammock care?

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    California
    Hammock
    Dutch ware 11' Netless
    Tarp
    HG 11’ Quest
    Insulation
    WM Slinglite
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    5

    Hammock care?

    So I realized the other day that my Dutchware hammock is five years old, and has been on 20+ backpacking trips spanning about 50-60 nights in the wild. It looks great, no fraying, holes, or rips. I’ve never washed it, only aired it out if we had campfire smoke. Been treated carefully.

    My question is do you hangers wash your hammocks? If so, how? Does the type of fabric make a difference?

    If not, why don’t you wash your hammock?

    How bout tarps? Any “washers of tarps” out there? Why? Or Not?

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Hammock
    DIY GE 12’ Hexon 1.6
    Tarp
    SLD Winter Haven
    Insulation
    CDT Gemini DIY
    Suspension
    Whoopi slings
    Posts
    109
    Images
    11
    I wash my hammock about once a year - usually in the early autumn when I start prepping gear for another season of camping (I don’t camp much in the heat and humidity of Southeast US summer). I often sleep in little clothing, and the sweat and oil from my skin is … ah … discernible.

    Most hammocks are made from a form of nylon. I just throw it in the washing machine with my usually detergent and let it air dry. I have no clue if this is the wrong way, but I haven’t seen any wear yet.

    I’ve never washed any of my tarps - but I do try to wipe them down after most trips to minimize the build up of sap, bird poop, pollen, etc.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Trail Runner's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Green, OH
    Hammock
    Mackinac Bridge
    Tarp
    DCF
    Insulation
    Grey Goose Down
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    1,731
    Images
    129
    I wash my camping hammocks once a year using regular detergent and cold water. I remove my continuous loops and CRL before washing. The bridge hammock I sleep in every night gets washed every 3 weeks when I do my regular laundry. Air dry for both.
    "Behold, as a wild a** of the desert, go I forth to my work." -- Guerney Halleck

  4. #4
    Senior Member Crazytown3's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Tooele County, UT, USA
    Hammock
    WB Eldorado/DIY
    Tarp
    WB MiniFly/DIY 12'
    Insulation
    WB Wooki/HG Burrow
    Suspension
    DW Spider/Beetle
    Posts
    1,448
    I just wash mine in the regular washer on gentle cycle, then hand up to air dry. We have a top load washer, but it is the kind that doesn't have the center agitator, so it's more akin to a front load washer. Not sure if that part matters though.

  5. #5
    cougarmeat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Bend, OR
    Hammock
    WBBB, WBRR, WL LiteOwl
    Tarp
    OES, WL BullFro
    Insulation
    HG UQ, TQ, WB UQ
    Suspension
    Python Straps
    Posts
    3,759
    Absolutely not having a center agitator matters - but I don't know about top vs side without one. I tore up a perfectly good - but thankfully not expensive - sleeping bag in an agitator machine.
    In order to see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone. And DO what few have done.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Otter1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    FL
    Hammock
    DIY Hexon 1.0, Hexon 1.6
    Tarp
    WB Mountainfly
    Insulation
    HG UQ's, EE TQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Mantis
    Posts
    2,669
    Just put it in a small tub and hand wash it - work your hands thoroughly, then air-dry - but DON'T leave it in the sun for more than a few minutes (perhaps I'm paranoid but my stuff lasts a long time).

    Never washed a tarp, have no plans to do so.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Crazytown3's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Tooele County, UT, USA
    Hammock
    WB Eldorado/DIY
    Tarp
    WB MiniFly/DIY 12'
    Insulation
    WB Wooki/HG Burrow
    Suspension
    DW Spider/Beetle
    Posts
    1,448
    Quote Originally Posted by cougarmeat View Post
    Absolutely not having a center agitator matters - but I don't know about top vs side without one. I tore up a perfectly good - but thankfully not expensive - sleeping bag in an agitator machine.
    10-4 on that. If our machine had a center agitator, I would just hand wash it. Sorry about your sleeping bag though.

  8. #8
    Senior Member hutzelbein's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Germany
    Hammock
    WBBB SL 1.7
    Tarp
    WB Mamajamba
    Insulation
    WB 0° Wooki +3oz
    Suspension
    Beetle Buckles
    Posts
    4,011
    Images
    112
    I wash my hammocks frequently. 30°C with liquid detergent in a front loader. I put netted hammocks in a bag to keep them from being stressed too much. After washing I let them air dry. My oldest hammock is now 12 years old and is still going strong.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Pop_Eye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Detroit, MI
    Hammock
    Wide Chameleon
    Suspension
    Straps & Buckles
    Posts
    125
    I just washed my hammock. I bought some wool wash stuff from the dollar tree.

    The water after washing in a bucket was turbid to say the least. Rinse, hand wash in the bucket and repeat. The fabric felt just like new and it went in to a permethrin treatment. It’s packed and ready for my kayak camping paddle in two days.

    Last time I washed it was about a year ago. I might try and hand wash again before my next permethrin treatment.

    Never washed a tarp, I figure the rain does a descent job of it

  10. #10
    Phantom Grappler's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Denton NC
    Hammock
    WildernessLogics 12x6
    Tarp
    HG cuben 13ridge12
    Insulation
    TopQuiltUnderQuilt
    Suspension
    S and D
    Posts
    4,926
    I’ve not washed hammock or quilts.
    I do lay them out to dry after camping, even when it has not rained. Then store in plastic totes.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Hammock care question
      By 1coolturtle in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 09-20-2016, 06:42
    2. TQ/UQ care
      By Faussett in forum Top Insulation
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 11-30-2013, 10:55
    3. Tarp Care
      By Hammonkey in forum Weather Protection
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 10-25-2012, 14:18
    4. For those who care
      By Sevens in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 15
      Last Post: 01-23-2010, 18:42

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •